Former Sky Sports analyst Graeme Souness elucidated the sources of his considerable frustration concerning Paul Pogba’s tenure in the Premier League with Manchester United. Additionally, he articulated the rationale behind his persistent criticism of Pogba while fulfilling punditry responsibilities in the United Kingdom.
On Thursday morning, Paul Pogba was formally issued a four-year suspension by the anti-doping tribunal in Italy. This disciplinary action stemmed from his failure to pass a routine doping examination subsequent to Juventus’ inaugural match of the 2023-24 Serie A campaign against Udinese, a match in which Pogba did not participate.
During an episode of his eponymous talk show on Talksport, alongside Simon Jordan, Souness expounded that while Pogba possessed the potential to rank among the premier athletes globally, the former Scottish footballer contends that Pogba’s emotional volatility frequently impeded his performance.
“He had the equipment to be the best midfielder in the world,” the three-time European Cup winner said on the Simon & Souness Show back in January.
“I saw a young man that was going through emotions a lot of the time, and that frustrated me.
“With that physique and that technical ability, he just did not have the right attitude to make him a superstar.”
During the period spanning from 2016 to 2022, Graeme Souness emerged as one of the most persistent critics of Paul Pogba throughout the latter’s tenure at Manchester United. Pogba, a French midfielder, made headlines with his transfer to United from Juventus in 2016, commanding a then-record fee of €105 million. His performance during this time, marked by 39 goals across 226 appearances in various competitions at Old Trafford, culminated in his departure back to Juventus on a free transfer in the preceding summer.
Noteworthy achievements during Pogba’s Manchester United career include securing two significant trophies, namely the Europa League and the League Cup, both attained during the 2016-2017 season under the management of Jose Mourinho. Additionally, Pogba boasts a World Cup winners medal, a distinction that Graeme Souness contends was frequently cited as justification for any shortcomings in Pogba’s performance.
“The worst thing that happened to him was winning a World Cup, because he could turn and say, ‘I am a World Cup winner’.I think at that point, that was him going backwards,” Souness concluded.
“He had the equipment to be the best midfielder in the world,” the three-time European Cup winner said on the Simon & Souness Show back in January.
“I saw a young man that was going through emotions a lot of the time, and that frustrated me.
“With that physique and that technical ability, he just did not have the right attitude to make him a superstar.”
During his tenure with Manchester United from 2016 to 2022, Graeme Souness emerged as one of Paul Pogba’s most relentless critics. Pogba, a French midfielder, made headlines with his transfer to United from Juventus in 2016 for a then-world record fee of €105 million. Over the course of his stay at Old Trafford, Pogba scored 39 goals in 226 appearances across various competitions. However, he departed for a return to Juventus in the previous summer, joining on a free transfer.
During Pogba’s second stint with Manchester United, the team achieved notable successes, including winning two trophies: the Europa League and the League Cup during the 2016-17 season under the management of Jose Mourinho. Additionally, Pogba holds a World Cup winners medal in his collection, adding to his accolades. Despite these achievements, Souness maintained a critical stance, often citing the World Cup title as an excuse rather than a testament to Pogba’s abilities.
“The worst thing that happened to him was winning a World Cup, because he could turn and say, ‘I am a World Cup winner’.I think at that point, that was him going backwards,” Souness concluded.